Developing the heritage tourism product in multi-ethnic cities

This paper critically analyses policies designed to encourage a community f ocus in urban heritage tourism projects. The city of Birmingham, UK, is tak en as a case study. There is an examination of an initiative aimed at incre asing the potential of the city as a leisure tourism destination. A specifi c analysis is undertaken of the development of an industrial heritage attra ction located in an inner city, multi-ethnic neighbourhood. Issues discusse d are: how to develop a heritage tourism product which achieves a balance b etween economic and social goals; how to develop heritage tourism which is socially inclusive and recognises the needs of minority ethnic groups; how to develop industrial heritage within the post-industrial context and incor porate a new European identity. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights r eserved.